Diesel owners; do you regret your engine choice?

[wvuviv30]

Now that you have had your diesel for some time… are you still happy with your decision or do you regret the engine choice?

If you don’t like the diesel engine, which engine did/would you replace it with?

I know it was a new motor for MY20, but has anyone broken 50k, or even 100k on the new 3rd Gen EcoDiesel engine? Have you had any major issues with the engine/trans/emissions systems?

Let's not debate why the Hemi is better, or that diesel is expensive to operate.

 

[NCShooter]

I have only had my 2021 Laramie diesel for a couple weeks, but traded in my 2016 Laramie diesel with 112,000 one owner miles.
I had did not have the horror stories you have heard with the previous generation. I did have the EGR cooler issue prior to the recall, but other than waiting for that part, no major issues. My local dealer also put me in a late model truck during that time.
My observations on my new truck. It definitely has more power, a noticeable amount more. The new one does have 3.92 gears compared to 3.55 for the 2016. Definitely more comfortable pulling out to pass someone on the two lane roads I frequent. Don’t have enough miles to compare, but according to the EVIC, mileage seems to be comparable or maybe even a little better. I also have the 33 gallon tank, it is going to be a long time between fillups. I routinely got 600 miles out of my 2016 with the 26 gallon tank and 7 more gallons is going to extend that considerably.
I personally have gotten used to the diesel and wouldn’t want to switch back to gas. while it doesn’t have the raw power of the Hemi, it is anything but underpowered. The mileage and range can’t be matched by the gas trucks. I personally like how the diesel drives. Horsepower is fun but torque gets you down the road too.
‘just my two cents...

 

[Willwork4truck]

I'm going out on the proverbial limb and bet that version 3.0 ecodiesel owners will be at least 10:1 in favor of their choice.
1 - its still too new to be disallusioned
2 - human psyche argues against saying you f'ed up when you paid so much
3 - eco diesel buyers are seemingly split into 2 or 3 basic groups. There's the maximum mpg crowd and there's the light towing group. For both of these the ecodiesel is a great choice. Then there's the crossover group that does both and is happy that their truck can do both well.

 

[Rhombus]

I have 22K miles on mine and love it. For me,it IS a good a mix of mileage and torque. I had a gen 2 as well.

 

[Royalist_Ram]

Had it for a month, ordered it obvi. I love it so far.

 

[AdamChandler]

Torque helps you go, horsepower helps you go fast. I have a fast car, I don’t need a fast truck but pulling away from the stop light a couple of times a day and getting the traction control light and getting over 700 miles to a tank seems like a pretty good combo...that paired with RAM’s 100K mile warranty on the EcoDiesel versus gas sealed the deal for me.

That and up in northern NH/Maine, I see Diesel trucks tend to hold their value better over gas. Maybe that’ll change if diesel prices skyrocket.

 

[silver billet]

I would have bought one in 2019 if they were available, got "stuck" in the hemi though it does great as well and (oops, was just about to say how good the hemi can be, my bad.)

The problem for me is that I'm thinking of upgrading to a diesel but Ram Canada doesn't offer diesels in tradesmand or bighorns. Which means the cheapest diesel is actually the GMC/Chevy twins. So that definitely has me thinking, that and the new Tundra. Ram Canada better smarten up by the time I actually upgrade or they're going to lose a customer.

 

[davidajpritchard]

I have a 2020 with 25000 miles on it. I had a 14, 16 and 18 Ecodiesel. I drove them all to 60,000+miles and had no issues.

So far I really like the 2020. It has the 3.21 gears and it feels stronger than my old ones with the 3.55 gears.

It has more of the diesel sound when lugging around.

Sent from my SM-N986W using Tapatalk

 

[Dirtdoc]

Have had a number of diesels in the past, powerstrokes, duramax, even the old gm 5.7 converted gasser. Bought my first hemi in 17 and then last one in 18. Thd 17 had 3.92's and the 18 had 3.21's. It was hard to tell difference between them. Traded month ago for an ecodiesel. Drove a few before bought to feel performance and was impressed with it. The torque from down low on ed is incredible. As far as waiting for problems to happen as mentioned we can all buy trouble with anything. Mileage average vs hemi is a solid 9 mpg better and on the highway hemi was 14-15 at 70-80 ed is 28-30. Very happy with the ed.

 

[Finn5033]

This is my first diesel. I’ve put over 16k miles on it since last august. I owned a 2010, 2013, and 2019 Rams with the Hemi. I traded in my 2019 to get the 2020 ecodiesel because of the mileage I put on and I tow a 5k lb camper fairly often. The Hemi handled the camper fine but the ecodiesel handles it much better. I am thoroughly impressed and happy with my ecodiesel.

 

[Mchurch52]

I've had mine for 1 year and 3 months with right around 21,000 miles on it and don't regret my decision a bit. The EcoDiesel is the smoothest, most enjoyable truck I've owned. The low end torque is great and makes pulling our 6500 lb travel trailer a much better experience than with a gas engine (I've owned a 2011 and a 2014 1500 with the Hemi and a 2016 2500 with the 6.4). Mileage has been right around 24 MPG (5.7 Hemi averaged 16 MPG, the 6.4 got 13 MPG) with a mix of highway and around town. Mine has 3.92s and with the PCM update this things gets up and goes (for a diesel).

Mine has been trouble free except for a trip to the dealer for an ABS warning which ended being caused by a pinched wire. Given a do-over I'd buy the exact same truck all over again.

 

[Finn5033]

I've had mine for 1 year and 3 months with right around 21,000 miles on it and don't regret my decision a bit. The EcoDiesel is the smoothest, most enjoyable truck I've owned. The low end torque is great and makes pulling our 6500 lb travel trailer a much better experience than with a gas engine (I've owned a 2011 and a 2014 1500 with the Hemi and a 2016 2500 with the 6.4). Mileage has been right around 24 MPG (5.7 Hemi averaged 16 MPG, the 6.4 got 13 MPG) with a mix of highway and around town. Mine has 3.92s and with the PCM update this things gets up and goes (for a diesel).

Mine has been trouble free except for a trip to the dealer for an ABS warning which ended being caused by a pinched wire. Given a do-over I'd buy the exact same truck all over again.

Did you tow the same trailer with your 2500? If so would you say you prefer the tow experience with your ecodiesel? I only ask cause I would think the 2500 would feel more comfortable to tow with

 

[Mchurch52]

Did you tow the same trailer with your 2500? If so would you say you prefer the tow experience with your ecodiesel? I only ask cause I would think the 2500 would feel more comfortable to tow with

We had a bigger trailer with the 2500 (34 ft overall length and 7500 lbs vs 28 ft overall and 6500 lbs). The current set up with the EcoD and shorter trailer is actually smoother to tow with, but I think that is partly due to me being very exact with hitch set up since I have less margin with the 1500. With the 2500 I let the dealer set the hitch up and never double checked their set up (our first trailer so I had too much faith in the dealer actually knowing what they were doing). Having the hitch dialed in really helped with bounce on rough roads and getting sucked in when an 18 wheeler goes by.

As far as engine choice, the EcoDiesel is way more enjoyable, no more screaming engine going up inclines in 2nd or 3rd gear (6 speed vs 8 speed transmission helps too).

 

[UncaBuddha]

I only have about 6000 miles but LOVE the diesel so far. At 73mph on the freeway I'm getting a good 28mpg, twice what I got with my V8 Tundra...

 

[Finn5033]

We had a bigger trailer with the 2500 (34 ft overall length and 7500 lbs vs 28 ft overall and 6500 lbs). The current set up with the EcoD and shorter trailer is actually smoother to tow with, but I think that is partly due to me being very exact with hitch set up since I have less margin with the 1500. With the 2500 I let the dealer set the hitch up and never double checked their set up (our first trailer so I had too much faith in the dealer actually knowing what they were doing). Having the hitch dialed in really helped with bounce on rough roads and getting sucked in when an 18 wheeler goes by.

As far as engine choice, the EcoDiesel is way more enjoyable, no more screaming engine going up inclines in 2nd or 3rd gear (6 speed vs 8 speed transmission helps too).

I had a 2019 with the Hemi and I agree it would constantly be shifting and revving to keep speed. Towing with the ecodiesel once your cruising it barely ever shifts gears. It’s awesome

 

[stronbl]

No regrets here. I am pretty familiar with the European 3L diesels as I also have a 2013 Cayenne diesel. It's a very similar engine including hp and torque (Germany-Cayenne versus Italy-Ram). Both use an 8 speed automatic transmission. I have over 100K miles (combo city & highway) on the Cayenne and have towed my 26 ft enclosed Featherlite trailer quite a bit with it and without issue (the 3L does just fine) and it feels like it did on day 1. But there are some significant differences between the two engines. I'd have to say the German 3L diesel is a bit more refined - it's smoother in running and acceleration; it has a stronger boost but does suffer a little lag like the Ram, and it is a quieter engine. The Cayenne is a little bit lighter than the Ram but not by much, yet I get easily 30+ mpg on the highway even at 80 mph. No so with the Ram. I drop to low 20's mpg on the highway if I travel at speeds > 75 mph. Keep it around 75 mph and I get 25-28 mpg highway (flat land would probably get near 30 mpg).

I know this thread was about he Ram diesel and any regrets, which I answered at the top. I'm happy with the engine and I have every expectation the Ram 3L diesel will last well over 100K miles and run without major issues - I'll be disappointed if that turns out to be a bad assumption on my part.

 

[Willwork4truck]

No regrets here. I am pretty familiar with the European 3L diesels as I also have a 2013 Cayenne diesel. It's a very similar engine including hp and torque (Germany-Cayenne versus Italy-Ram). Both use an 8 speed automatic transmission. I have over 100K miles (combo city & highway) on the Cayenne and have towed my 26 ft enclosed Featherlite trailer quite a bit with it and without issue (the 3L does just fine) and it feels like it did on day 1. But there are some significant differences between the two engines. I'd have to say the German 3L diesel is a bit more refined - it's smoother in running and acceleration; it has a stronger boost but does suffer a little lag like the Ram, and it is a quieter engine. The Cayenne is a little bit lighter than the Ram but not by much, yet I get easily 30+ mpg on the highway even at 80 mph. No so with the Ram. I drop to low 20's mpg on the highway if I travel at speeds > 75 mph. Keep it around 75 mph and I get 25-28 mpg highway (flat land would probably get near 30 mpg).

I know this thread was about he Ram diesel and any regrets, which I answered at the top. I'm happy with the engine and I have every expectation the Ram 3L diesel will last well over 100K miles and run without major issues - I'll be disappointed if that turns out to be a bad assumption on my part.

That Cayenne experience sounds great! Have you changed tranny fluid yet? Cost?

 

[stronbl]

Yes. I have a local German car specialist who is very very good. His prices are just under the dealer but his quality of work and attention to detail sets him apart. I'd have to go back and find the receipt but it seems like something around $800.